title: Nostril base augmentation effect of alveolar bone graft.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of alveolar bone grafting are closure of the fistula, stabilization of the maxillary arch, support for the roots of the teeth adjacent to the cleft on each side. We observed nostril base augmentation in patients with alveolar clefts after alveolar bone grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nostril base augmentation effect of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with unilateral alveolar cleft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 15 children with alveolar clefts who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting with autogenous iliac cancellous bone between March of 2011 and May of 2012 were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative worm's-eye view photographs and reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scans were used for photogrammetry. The depression of the nostril base and thickness of the philtrum on the cleft side were measured in comparison to the normal side. The depression of the cleft side pyriform aperture was measured in comparison to the normal side on reconstructed three-dimensional CT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes were seen in the nostril base (P=0.005), the philtrum length (P=0.013), and the angle (P=0.006). The CT measurements showed significant changes in the pyriform aperture (P<0.001) and the angle (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An alveolar bone graft not only fills the gap in the alveolar process but also augments the nostril base after surgery. In this study, only an alveolar bone graft was performed to prevent bias from other procedures. Nostril base augmentation can be achieved by performing alveolar bone grafts in children, in whom invasive methods are not advised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Woojin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun Gon
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dong Hyeok
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ki Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Uhm
keywords: Alveolar process; Alveoloplasty; Bone transplantation; Cleft palate